History

Community Health Partnerships (CHP) was established as Partnerships for Health Limited (PfH) in 2001 - a joint venture between Partnerships UK (PUK) and the Department of Health (DH). The company's objective then was to develop, deliver and generate investment in the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT), a new and innovative national procurement programme for improving primary care facilities.

Primary care handles nine out of ten NHS patient contacts, yet primary care premises had suffered from historic under-investment. Many surgeries, particularly in city centres, were unsuited to delivering modern healthcare services, contributing to a shortage of doctors in those areas that had the most serious health problems.

With the completion of the first three waves of the LIFT, PfH gained additional focus on delivering broader DH policy objectives. In recognition of this shift, in December 2006, the DH acquired the outstanding shareholding owned by PUK, thus becoming the sole PfH shareholder.

With this change came a broader emphasis on community-based health and social care, including greater partnerships with local authorities and the voluntary sector. This role includes restructuring service provision, via Social Enterprises and Community Ventures, as well continuing to develop new physical infrastructure via LIFT.

In November 2007, following this expansion of roles, Partnerships for Health was renamed Community Health Partnerships.